SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM TAKE ON SWEDEN IN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY SUNDAY

CAPE TOWN, Banyana Banyana, the South African national women’s football team, will play their first ever match at Cape Town Stadium this Sunday when they take on Sweden in an international friendly.

Banyana Banyana, the 2017 COSAFA (Council of Southern Africa Football Associations champions) and the number one women’s soccer team in Africa, have a big year ahead with qualification for the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations and the 2019 Soccer World Cup taking place.

Playing Sweden, who are ranked 10th in the world and fifth in Europe, will be a tough assignment, but great preparation for the exciting challenges that lie ahead, says Banyana Banyana interim coach Desiree Ellis, who adds: Last year was a fantastic year for us and this year is the beginning of a very big year for Banyana Banyana.

Sweden has played Banyana Banyana twice before, winning 4-1 at the 2012 London Olympics and 1-0 at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The City of Cape Town has become involved and is serious about giving women’s soccer a voice and a platform for the players to display their talents and provide inspiration to the youth.

Cape Town city councillor Stuart Diamond says: Cape Town feels privileged to say thank you to Sweden for coming here so we can honour women’s football and give it the place that it deserves and for young girls to achieve their dreams.

It will be an historic occasion at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday and there will also be free entrance to the public although a ticket will be required to enter the stadium.